Jewish outrage as banned terror flag at pro-Palestinian protest

Queensland’s peak Jewish body has condemned the display of a banned flag at a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Queensland.

Queensland’s peak Jewish body has condemned the display of a banned flag at a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Queensland on Wednesday.

The flag of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was seen flying alongside other banners on the third day of the protesters’ university campout.

It has since been taken down.

The PFLP is a designated terrorist organisation in the US, Canada and European Union, while Australia has the group on its consolidated list of organisations subject to financial sanctions.

Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said the PFLP was an organisation responsible for plane hijackings and terror ­attacks in the late 1960s and 1970s.

The PFLP flag on display at the pro-Palestinian protest camp. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It’s abhorrent to see it in Brisbane and it should be removed immediately,” he said.

Staff within the J.D. Story Administration building were placed into lockdown for about 2½ hours on Wednesday.

Activists believed to be part of the Students for Palestine campaign were demanding UQ cut ties with Israel and weapons companies, according to their Facebook posts.

The group marched to the vice-chancellor’s office to deliver a message on Wednesday morning.

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Jewish groups have camped on opposing sides of the courtyard, with security in between.

Federal Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown had a marquee set up at the Pro-Palestine activist camp on Wednesday.

Protesters at the University of Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Ms Watson-Brown said the demands of UQ students were entirely reasonable.

“The students’ demands for UQ to disclose its investments and to cut ties with any company that is complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which has to date killed more than 14,000 children, are entirely reasonable,” she said.

“As someone who went to UQ in the (Nationals premier) Joh Bjelke-Petersen years, I know well the power that students have when they stand up for what matters.

“Universities should be forces for peace, not helping develop the technologies that will lead to more loss of life.”

Police have not been required to attend.